Man OKs car search, which yields drugs, paraphernalia
FORT WALTON BEACH – A man who allowed police officers to search his car had “several items” of drugs and paraphernalia, Fort Walton Beach Police say. On May 28 officers were asked to check out a...
View ArticleOCSO investigating shooting, attempted home invasion robbery
The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office is investigating the shooting of a man during an armed robbery at an apartment on Dale Place on Thursday night. The victim, 30-year-old Tony Youngblood, was driven...
View ArticleReport: While mom is 'passed out,' naked kids wandered into street
NICEVILLE – A 23-year-old woman was arrested after two of her children, 3-year-old and a 2-year-old, were found naked in the street while she was “passed out” in the house. According to a Niceville...
View ArticleUPDATED: Jury finds Cozzie guilty on all counts
DeFUNIAK SPRINGS —Two days before the second anniversary of the brutal killing of 15-year-old vacationer Courtney Wilkes, Steven Cozzie has been convicted of her murder. View a photo gallery of the...
View ArticleKids, parents enjoy free event (GALLERY)
FORT WALTON BEACH — Five-year-old Alana Khan smiled brightly as she twirled a hula hoop on her arm and danced to a song during Kid’s Day at Fort Walton Landing. “Did you see me,” Alana asked as she...
View ArticleSanta Rosa Beach man earns Global War on Terrorism medal
NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY PANAMA CITY — Four civilian employees at the Navy base have bagged medals for their efforts in the war on terrorism. They received the Secretary of Defense Global War on...
View ArticleChoctaw seeking new band director
Interviews have begun for the next band director at Choctawhatchee High School, and band camp is slated to go forward later this month as planned. “Everybody is stepping up to the plate to make sure...
View ArticleWater advisory issued for Navarre Park
NAVARRE - The Santa Rosa County Health Department is advising against any water activities at Navarre Park on U.S. Highway 98 because of high bacteria levels. The Health Department will test the water...
View ArticleDestin hits snag over easement at Royal Melvin Heritage Park
DESTIN — Temporary improvements at Royal Melvin Heritage Park are on hold after questions about an easement have come to light. “If we proceed with the temporary improvements that were recommended by...
View ArticleLeafy entrance to Mary Esther started with one man's trees
MARY ESTHER — It was just a fluke that Russell Scott planted the live oak trees that have come to define U.S. Highway 98 in the town. The 79-year-old man smiles when he talks about the day he pulled...
View ArticleNiceville couple to vacation at lighthouse in Maine
NICEVILLE — Marilyn Turk has never packed for a summer vacation quite like the one she will take in July. Turk and her husband, Chuck, have volunteered to be lighthouse keepers for 11 days in Cutler,...
View ArticleMan's dreams come true on becoming a dad
Editor’s Note: To celebrate Father’s Day, the Daily News chose to tell the story of one man’s relationship with his baby girl. FORT WALTON BEAC H — Jimmy Pitts can’t remember a time when he didn’t...
View ArticleFather and son charged with attempted murder
A father and son have been arrested in Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties in connection with the beating of a man in Wing, Ala., on New Year’s Eve 2005. Jackie Darrell Long, 54, and his son, 27-year-old...
View ArticleEmerald Coast Wildlife Refuge debuts zoo (VIDEO, SLIDESHOW)
CRESTVIEW — Just months ago, the Sasquatch Zoo was an overgrown, dilapidated ghost town. Exotic animals were tucked in cages where they ate and slept, cared for by an exhausted but committed...
View ArticleMan killed in late-night wreck on U.S. 98
WATERSOUND — A 38-year-old man from Miramar Beach was killed after he was thrown from his Jeep Wrangler on U.S. Highway 98 shortly after midnight Sunday. Elliott Lee Culbreath was driving west on U.S....
View ArticleThree killed in head-on crash, explosion on I-10
MIILTON — Three people were killed in a two-vehicle head-on crash on Interstate 10 early Sunday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Both vehicles burst into flames and were fully...
View ArticleBeachgoers to get warnings first on double-red flag days
While awareness is first and foremost, Okaloosa County sheriff’s deputies can ticket or arrest beachgoers who enter the Gulf of Mexico under double-red flag conditions. “Our biggest thing is that we...
View ArticleDemolition permits could be related to potential Dollywood project
DESTIN — While there is plenty of action on properties owned by World Choice Investments, lips are still tight on a potential project. “All I can say is it’s going to be a very new, exciting...
View ArticleScience fiction comes true for local teen
Mark Jordan has always been interested in space. The 17-year-old read science fiction books growing up, and the idea of visiting space has always interested him. “It sounds like something I want to...
View ArticleFWB city manager: Tax increase necessary to sustain services
FORT WALTON BEACH — For the fifth consecutive year, the city faces declining revenues and rising costs as it approaches its annual budget deliberations. The City Council will get its first look at the...
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